How a late-blooming high school pitcher became a Major League Baseball sensation called Thor
In short: Noah Syndergaard was an overlooked prospect until a sudden growth spurt and rigorous weight training transformed his velocity. Nicknamed Thor, he quickly ascended from a first-round draft pick to a key figure in the New York Mets' 2015 World Series run, defined by his powerful arm and occasional offensive contributions.
Born in 1992 in Mansfield, Texas, Noah Syndergaard did not initially stand out as a baseball prospect. It was not until his senior year of high school in 2010 that a significant growth spurt and dedicated training increased his pitch velocity from 80 mph to 90 mph. Despite this late development, he was selected 38th overall in the 2010 MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. He eventually joined the New York Mets in 2012 as part of a trade for Cy Young Award winner R. A. Dickey.
Syndergaard made his major league debut in May 2015. He quickly established himself as a formidable presence, notably pitching in the 2015 World Series. His career with the Mets was marked by impressive strikeout numbers, including becoming one of only five Mets pitchers to record 200 strikeouts in a single season before age 25. He also gained attention for his hitting, becoming one of the few pitchers in team history to hit multiple home runs in a single game.
His tenure with the Mets was eventually hampered by significant health challenges. After battling various injuries in 2017 and 2018, he suffered an ulnar collateral ligament injury in 2020. This necessitated Tommy John surgery, a procedure that occurred during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and sparked public debate regarding the necessity of elective surgeries at that time. Following his recovery and a brief return to the Mets in 2021, Syndergaard moved on to play for several other teams, including the Angels, Phillies, and Dodgers.
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